MasterChef Episode 10

After another Team Challenge last week, it was time for a very unique Pressure Test this week! 

For this weeks challenge, the duos on the losing team in the previous challenge would be participating in an ingredient auction. They would all start off with 90 minutes of cook time, but for each ingredient they would choose to bid for, they would lose time. By the end of it all, Zach and Michelle had 55 minutes of cook time, Tonna and Cait had 50 minutes of cook time, Rachel and Julio had 40 minutes of cook time, and Timothy and Athena had only 20 minutes of cook time. 

The first duo to present their dish was Zach and Michelle, who made Saffron Infused Fettuccine with Fennel & Leek Cream Sauce and Sautéed Swiss Chard, which is a dish that I would be willing to try. The judges really liked the dish, saying that the pasta was delicious, fragrant, textured, and rolled to perfection, the Swiss Chard gave an earthy flavor that brightened it up, and it could be served in the best Italian restaurant in Minneapolis. 

The next duo to present their dish was Rachel and Julio, who made a Crispy Skin Chicken Thigh with Tomato Risotto, Confit Tomatoes, and Mexican Red Sauce, which is another dish that I would be willing to try. The judges really liked this dish as well, saying that the acidity was spot on, the chicken was cooked beautifully, the risotto was perfect, the stock gave the rice incredible flavor, the peppers added a nice heat, and the tomatoes were excellent, but they did think that the chicken skin could have been crispier, and the dish would have been better without the sauce.

The next duo to present their dish was Tonna and Cait, who made Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb Mince and Scalloped Sweet Potato, and as someone who likes both Shepherd’s Pie and Sweet Potato, I know that I would not like this dish. The judges did not like it, saying that it had a very strange taste, and the sweet potatoes were raw and an odd choice, but it was not unflavorful and the lamb was quite good. 

The last duo to present their dish was Timothy and Athena, who made Crispy Skin Salmon with Orange Glaze and Peach & Herb Salad, which is not a dish that I think I would enjoy. The judges liked how they cooked two out of the three pieces of salmon, as Chef Tiffany Derry got an undercooked piece of salmon, they liked how the skin was crispy, they liked the orange glaze, but they had a problem with the inconsistently cooked salmon and the lack of ambition with the rest of the dish being a salad that consisted of peaches and mint. 

After that, it was time for the judges to announce the results of the challenge, and Zach and Michelle and Rachel and Julio had the two best dishes and were sent to safety, which did not surprise me. This left Tonna and Cait and Timothy and Athena as the bottom two duos, with Tonna and Cait being eliminated, which did not surprise me, as Gordon Ramsay actually spit out their dish.

Overall this was another good episode, and I’ll see you all next week when the teams have to make Macarons!